an article about this shoot
IRELAND - 8th-11th NOVEMBER 2003 - I MET HER...
Ireland The land of legends and mystical fairies. The land of mysterious houses, where ghosts seem to live eternally. The land where the dead live in close proximity to the living.
I planned a trip to Ireland with the aim of exploring the whole of the island. It was the landscape which really attracted me to shoot a story there. When I arrived in Ireland, I rented a car and headed over to Conemarra in County Galway. I was told by locals that this would be the wildest and roughest terrain in the whole of Ireland. As I got closer I realised they were absolutely right.
The condition of the road worsened and I had to really slow down. I had no idea where I was, but I didnt care. I decided that I would take a room in the next village that I would pass through, because it had already started to get dark. I couldn’t imagine at what time I would arrive at the next village since there where no signs announcing one. So I just continued on my way but started to get a little bit concerned as the fog began to loom. I could hardly see a thing. It started to rain and the windscreen wipers were having a really hard time.
All of a sudden I became aware of a man standing on the road. I only noticed him as I drew closer to him as he appeared to be standing completely still. I stopped the car, wound down the window, and asked him if he knew where I could find a room for the night. He didn’t answer me, he didn’t even look at me, he just acted as though I didn’t even exist. I shivered. I could hardly see the man’s face, which was hidden under the shadow of his black hat. He then slowly turned to me and pointed to a pathway up a small hill. I nodded towards him and started to drive in the direction he had indicated. He looked like a scarecrow, I thought to myself. After a while, still thinking about this strange encounter, I found myself in front of a big wrought-iron gate. I had reached the end of the pathway. It had been impossible to take a wrong turn. I glanced through the gate to catch sight of the property hidden by the very large, old trees. As I could see a light burning in one window, I decided to ask about the possibility of an overnight stay.
I parked the car beside a low wall. I stepped outside and took a deep breath. I felt a little dizzy as I hadn’t eaten anything for quite a while. Everything was quiet, just the rustling of the old trees. There was a wide, paved pathway leading straight to the house. I began doubting my decision. I even got a little annoyed with myself why had I followed the directions of a crazy old man But well, here I was. It had already taken me long enough to drive up this hill, so what harm would it do to go and ask So I started to walk towards the house. I felt as though I were diving into another world. The sound of the rustling changed. It seemed like the trees were trying to tell me something. As I continued on my way, I suddenly had the feeling of being watched. I turned around. Someone was standing not far from me, hidden by the trees. My heart stood still and I could hardly breathe. But the figure didn’t move and then I realised it was a statue. At second glance, I noticed that there were many statues lined up along the pathway, perfectly camouflaged by their overgrown moss. I tried to relax but still had this feeling of somebody’s presence. I continued walking and tried to distract my mind. The pathway wound its way around the house and I passed a long, wide pond filled with fallen leaves. The dark trees reflected mysteriously in the still water. Suddenly I saw a movement in the reflection, a woman in a white, blowing dress. Again my heartbeat stopped. She was extraordinarily beautiful. Her skin was very pale and her expression was sad. I looked up to meet her eyes but the only thing I saw was the dark forest. She had gone. I tried in vain to find her reflection again. Was it an illusion I had a funny feeling that she was real because along with her disappearing, the strange feeling of being watched had also left me. I turned around and walked towards the entrance of the house, a heavy wooden door. I knocked and stood still.
After a long wait, I heard footsteps approaching and the door opened slightly. An old man peered out. He seemed unsurprised at receiving a late visitor. When I told him of my situation, he welcomed me very warmly and invited me to stay overnight. His wife was even so kind as to make me a late meal. When I sat down at the table with a glass of wine I suddenly felt very exhausted. I could hardly keep my eyes open. The landlady showed me to my room, which was very nice and comfortable. I didn’t mention the women I saw at the pond. I just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep. When I was left alone in the room I walked over to the window to have one more look at the garden. And there she stood again. Her blonde hair fell almost to her hips. She didn’t move. Her beauty was breathtaking. I couldn’t stop staring at her. I don’t know how much time passed. Then she turned around and walked into the darkness of the forest. I made a decision to ask my hosts about her first thing in the morning.
When I did the lady wasn’t surprised at my question at all. Yes, of course we know her, she said. Her name is Banshee and she has been with our family for several hundred years. She has been known to cry out and announce the death of a family member, but most of the time she just watches over the garden and is very curious about new visitors.
I was very pleased to have met her.
PATRIZIO DI RENZO
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